Mr Chavez has not appeared or spoken publicly since before he underwent surgery in Cuba on December 11.

Government officials have said the 58-year-old president is improving after suffering complications including a severe respiratory infection. He has been fighting an unspecified type of pelvic cancer since June 2011.

"The president is in (a) full process of recuperation. However, he is coming from the most complex and deepest battle against the illness," Mr Jaua said, without giving details.

The foreign minister spoke in a telephone call broadcast live on Venezuelan television. He said he would be attending a regional summit meeting in Chile this week.

He also said that those currently in Havana include Vice President Nicolas Maduro, Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez and Attorney General Cilia Flores, as well as the president's elder brother, Adan Chavez.